NAFA Requests Senate Extension Of Federal Investment In Diesel Emission Reduction Act
On June 10, NAFA Fleet Management Association Chief Executive Officer Phillip Russo, CAE, reached out to leaders in Washington urging continued funding for the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA). Letters from NAFA were sent to Jack Reed, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member for the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Barbara A. Mikulski, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations; and Richard Shelby, Ranking Member for the Senate Committee on Appropriations.
"Millions of older diesel engines are still in use by fleets. Thankfully, emissions from these older engines may be controlled with the use of modern, American-made control technologies that reduce emissions and create jobs here at home," said Russo in the communications. "Enacted through the Energy Policy Act of 2005, DERA provides funding for fleets to install retrofit technologies on existing heavy-duty diesel vehicles and engines, or replace engines and equipment, reducing harmful emissions by as much as 90 percent."
If funds are not allowed to be appropriated for DERA, the Obama Administration’s 2015 budget proposal will reduce DERA funding from the $20 million contained in the Continuing Resolution in Fiscal Year 2014 to zero in 2015.
Russo continued, "NAFA understands that appropriations at the authorized level for the program may not be possible today. Still, we believe that modest increases in funding for DERA can and must be achieved within the framework of the overall budget agreement approved by Congress late last year. In this vein, I respectively ask that you recognize the enormous economic and clean air benefits of the DERA program, and encourage you to support $30 million in funding for fiscal year 2015."
To view the messages sent to Senators Reed, Shelby, Mikulski, and Murkowski, click here.You can also find these letters on the Legislative Tools page at NAFA.org, in the Resource Center section.